Thursday, September 29, 2011

Opposite?

It just occurred to me (as I'm obsessing over the below photo and stalking the exact pieces online)...that I have a red skirt and purple silk tank top. Why not REVERSE this color combination?


I am going to test it out and see. Do we think that black shoes are the best with this? I can't really think of any other color except nude. The outfit is loud enough as it is. OK, next post will be my work outfit today (geek) and an attempt at being Kristen Cavalari.

The good news is, (the skirt is considered fuscia btw) and it's only $65 on http://www.singer22.com/ in case I really don't like what I have.

Speaking of http://www.singer22.com/. The little brunette model in 99% of the pictures has an amazing blog that I read, http://www.somethingnavy.com/. She lives a block away from my apartment so I feel like I know her. It's going to be weird when I see her on the street and say hi, before realizing that I don't ACTUALLY know her.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Epic Fail

I didn't make it  through today. This happened...

Chicken with steamed veggies from Senior Pollo. I will be skipping dinner and starting over on Day 1 of the diet tomorrow. Oh well, sometimes you gotta just roll with it...

On that note, I came across an amazing blog post today. This is what I'm taking away from it:

"...But you know, if there’s one thing that the past few years have taught me, it’s this: things sometimes get worse, and they sometimes get better, but they always change. There’s not a whole lot of use in worrying about making sure that things stay the same, because the fact is that they won’t.
But I’ve also learned something else: that the stuff that feels too insurmountable and too painful to handle almost never is.
And stains?
They come out.
And even if they don’t…you just roll on, pristine tights or no."

Blogger

How amazing....and true.

P.S.
LOVING THIS OUTFIT

Day 3 of 3

Recap - I felt much better yesterday. I had pinkberry as my "ice cream" with bananas. Both were on the list! I think that's the best part about this little diet thing. The ice cream, hot dogs...

BUT

I cheated yesterday, had some fruit an egg and some more veggies. All in all I still kept it VERY healthy.

I decided to calculate the calories of each day of this diet. Since I do feel like I need a little bit more (surprise surprise). I know diets aren't supposed to be enjoyable and most people feel hungry, but I definitely can't function at the gym without a little more fuel.

Calorie breakdown

3 DAY DIET
DAY 1:
1100 calories (give or take)
BREAKFAST--1/2 GRAPEFRUIT (40)
1 SLICE RYE TOAST (83)
2 TBS. REDUCED FAT PEANUT BUTTER(180)
COFFEE OR TEA (25 for the splash of milk)

LUNCH--1/2 CUP TUNA (86)
1 SLICE RYE TOAST (83)
COFFEE OR TEA (25 for another splash of milk)

DINNER--2 SLICES ANY TYPE OF MEAT (ABOUT 3 OZ) (70)
1 CUP GREEN BEANS(82)
1/2 BANANA (53)
1 SMALL APPLE (72)
1 CUP VANILLA ICE CREAM(268)

DAY 2:
1100 calories (give or take)BREAKFAST--1 EGG (76)
1 SLICE TOAST (83)
1/2 BANANA (53)

LUNCH--1 CUP COTTAGE CHEESE (OR 1 SLICE CHEDDAR CHEESE) (120)
1 HARD BOILED EGG, (76)
5 SALTINE CRACKERS (65)
DINNER--2 Hebrew National Fat Free HOT DOGS (no buns) (140)
1 CUP BROCCOLI (51)
1/2 CUP CARROTS (50)
1/2 BANANA (53)
1/2 CUP VANILLA ICE CREAM (268)\

DAY 3:
900 calories (give or take)BREAKFAST--5 SALTINE CRACKERS (65)
1 SLICE CHEDDAR CHEESE (76)
1 SMALL APPLE (72)

LUNCH--1 HARD BOILED EGG (76)
1 SLICE TOAST (83)

DINNER--1 CUP TUNA (171)
1/2 BANANA (53)
1 CUP VANILLA ICE CREAM (268)

I also discovered this post on WebMD. Apparently, this is not anything earth shattering and new. A lot of people are nay-sayers. That's fine. I honestly was just testing it out anyway. After checking the calories and the proportions of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, I discovered the below. These are GREAT proportions for me.

Fat 32%
 
Carbs 41%
 
Protein 27%
 
Alcohol 0%
 
Ok since day 3 is under way....I promise my next post will have something to do with clothes...or shoes....enough of food for the moment.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Day 2 of 3

Recap of Day 1 of this weird, but not too weird, diet.

I was a cranky monster when I got home last night. (Sorry Boyfriend). I was SO hungry and he was in the way of the microwave.....NOBODY gets in the way of baby and her food. I had to apologize later....and again now...and again and again.

I didn't have ice cream in the fridge...either I forgot to order it or Peapod forgot to deliver. That reminds me I need to check my order now and see whose fault it is. I digress. So I substituted ice cream with cottage cheese. Also, I cheated. I had lettuce with olive oil and vinegar and about a cup of grapes. I don't think this diet is meant for people who went to Turbokick with the most insane instructor ever. At least I didn't have the candy corn ok?

Anywho, Day 2 is more of the same (except the hot dogs I"m going to scarf down later)

Breakfast:
1 egg
1 slice toast
1/2 banana
(not too shabby considering I never eat breakfast during the week)

10:22am and I'm starving though

Lunch (can't come soon enough):
1 cup cottage cheese
1 egg
5 saltines ?????
(Ok it's getting a little weird. I never realized how much 1 cup of cottage cheese actually is. I accidentally grabbed the 1/2 cup measuring cup this morning and after one scoop I was surprised that I could add another. The saltines? I don't know.....if only I could have peanut butter on them...)

Dinner:
2 hot dogs (hebrew national fat free of course) no bun.
1 cup broccoli
1/2 cup carrots
1/2 banana and 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
Not sure what to do about the ice cream. Probably run to baskin robbins on the way to pick up J Dubs.

More to report later. Ran 6ish miles this morning to get it over with. Had a total vent/bitch session with J Dubs. Still not really out of my funk I guess.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Day 1 of 3

Day 1 of the 3 day "diet"

I am SO looking forward to hot dogs tomorrow night.

Day 1:
Breakfast -
1/2 Grapefruit
1 piece toast with 2 TBSP peanut butter
Coffee/Tea

Lumch -
1/2 cup tuna
1 piece toast
Coffee/Tea

Dinner
2 slices deli meat
1 cup green beans
1/2 banana
1 small apple
1 cup vanilla ice cream (yum!!)

Feeling - Tired from the weekend still. Probably not the best day to start a diet.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

It's (Not) My Birthday

We celebrated Boyfriend's birthday Friday and Saturday. The guys took him out for dinner Friday while the girls went to dinner at Beauty and Essex. Kim Kardashin and Kris Humphries were sitting next to us at dinner. FUN STUFF!

I highly recommend the tomato soup and grilled cheese dumplings as well as the fig and goat cheese bread.

We all met up later in the evening with the boys including my friends from college.

My outfit (far left). The girls decided they all wanted to be on the blog...which I LOVE. I don't want to put anyone on here who doesn't want to be on (ie boyfriend) from left to right. Me, Megan, Jacqueline (J Dubs my running partner) and our newly married Emily
Skirt: Zara $129
Bodysuit (that boyfriend calls my bathing suit): Victoria's Secret about $20
Blazer: United Colors of Benetton $99

Don't worry, this blog is not going to be about me going out partying in NYC every night. It's a rare occasion.

I DID work out Saturday and will be running with J Dubs on Sunday so it wasn't a total wash.

Monday I am starting a weird 3 day diet. We'll see how it goes. It is not a starvation diet, it's basically just eating balanced meals but very structured as to the ounces of food. I'll report back if it makes me feel good.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

"Lady-Spencer"

It occurred to me (after a few inquiries), I hadn't explained my blog name.

Background: Lady Diana is actually Lady Diana Spencer

Boyfriend and I had a very impromptu trip to Hawaii. While there, we met an amazing older couple (We tend to make friends with the older couples on vacation. Their style of vacation and idea of relaxing is similar to ours). The gentleman had recently beat Leukemia and was as friendly as a farmer. Boyfriend and I spent quite some time talking to him and on his way out, we shook hands and he said "Spencer....like Lady Spencer. Well, it was a pleasure to meet you Lady Spencer". Boyfriend had a nice chuckle.

Hawaii Photogs...





Wednesday, September 21, 2011

First Green Juice Post

OK, don't throw up when I show you what my favorite thirst quencher is. Water is boring (I am a Crystal Light fan...need to Jazz. It. Up). Green Juice makes my taste buds dance.

Spinach, Kale, Parsley, Cucumber, Apple, Lemon, Ginger from Mangia


since juice isn't enough for me anymore, I added some veggies (yes, my stapler is labeled with my name)

Since we are on the subject of green juice I think this is a good time to talk about cleanses. I spent almost all of last year (2010) doing cleanses as much as possible. Every day of the work week I had at least one green juice and then about once a month I would do a 3 day cleanse.

Note: It is impossible for me to do a 5 day cleanse because Sundays are pig-out day and Fridays are date night. Therefore, there are no 5 consecutive days in a week that I am willing to starve myself cleanse.

However, 3 day cleanses did the trick for me. I was my leanest and felt better than I ever have. This year has been a bit tougher....cleanses are expensive and aren't really all that fun when you are living with a boyfriend. I've been on a strict budget and had a great food filled summer. Following summer is football season so the 5lbs will probably not go away until next Summer....maybe.....

Regardless, my goal is to get a few cleanses in before the year ends and to have a green juice almost every day of the work week.

I have tried 5 different cleanses in my day.
Organic Avenue (the pioneer in NYC)
Jill Pettijohn
Liquiteria
Blue Print Cleanse

My favorites are Liquiteria, Jill Pettijohn and Blue Print...in that order.

Liquiteria - Although I haven't done their structured cleanse, I used to go to their store and buy 5 or 6 juices out of their cooler, effectively creating my own cleanse. They happen to be located about 5 blocks from my old job and my old apartment so it was easy for me to grab their juices to go. Not to mention, their staff is unbelievably friendly. Especially the manager, I don't know her name but she wears glasses, and the juice guy early in the morning (7am). Pardon my not politically correct statement but the guy in the morning is a thin latino I believe...a total sweetheart. Not ONCE did he let someone walk in without greeting them. Back to business....
My juices were a combination of:
-all greens with apple lemon and ginger - the apple, lemon and ginger help to cut the dirt taste of the all greens. Great for beginners.
-royal flush
-lemonade
-killer x

Jill Pettijohn's cleanse (here) includes a soup-y "juice" a day which I put in a bowl and actually pretended were soup. She says you can actually heat them up but does NOT recommend using a microwave. I bought her cleanse with a discount code from Vital Juice.

Blueprint cleanse  - I always did their "Renovation Cleanse". Even after I considered myself an experienced cleanser, I really don't enjoy drinking entirely green juices all day. The renovation cleanse offers more tastebud satisfying drinks in between greens. Lovely.

Lately, I've been buying green juices at Bread and Butter on 29th and Park Avenue on my way to work. The small is about $3 (absolutely dirt cheap). I just have them put cucumber, spinach, apple, lemon and ginger in it. Perfect wake-me-up.

Now that I've blogged about doing more cleansing, I really need to put my money where my mouth is and stop eating leftover pizza for dinner (thanks a lot Boyfriend. I thought I asked you to throw it out before I got home...I kid I kid...oh and by the way HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!)

Sorry, this ended up being too long. More pictures, less words.


Eyebrow Dye

I have a weird obsession with dark eyebrows. Since I ceased dying my hair a much too dark brown, I think it helps make my green eyes pop. In 3 years I could be laughing at myself for this, much like I laugh when I see photos of my hair almost black. But check it out.....

HOT

HOT


My best friend always references "Megan Fox Eyebrows". We love how they are long, not overplucked, dark and on Megan Fox's face. Girl Crush.

Other girl crushes....




So, the point is...I dyed my eyebrows last night. I'll post photos this weekend from Boyfriend's bday party. I'm wearing this sequin skirt from Zara (with a black bodysuit, either a cream or black blazer and black pumps unless you have any other suggestions....)

Source

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

This post took a turn....

My intention was to ask a questions about hair straighteners....but then my mom sent me one of those weird forwards. She referenced "childbirth" in her email at the top and I wasn't going to read it, but it's pretty funny. I'm going to spare you most of it, but I really liked the end....maybe that's because it references cats.

TOP TEN THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND
10. Cats' facial expressions.
9. The need for the same style of shoes in different colors.
8. Why bean sprouts aren't just weeds.
7. Fat clothes.
6. Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.
5. The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell.
4. Cutting your hair to make it grow.
3. Eyelash curlers.
2. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.
AND, the Number One thing only women understand:
1. OTHER WOMEN


Now, on to straighteners. I currently have this one:



Folica.com Source

I have had it for over 3 years and I just think that it may not be getting hot enough anymore. Any suggestions on new ones?  I was considering this one:
Product view
Folica.com Source

for $100+ I want to make sure I get something worth it.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Monday run with J Dubs

According to mapmyfitness.com, we ran 5.59 miles today. According to J Dubs' magic watch, Polar GPS, we ran 6.6 miles. I have no idea but that's' a big difference.

Our rough route was; 1st Ave/23rd Street up to 34th street then down the East River to Montgomery Street, back up to 34th Street and finally back to 1st Ave/23rd Street. Although the West Side has a much nicer running trail, the East River does the trick.

We followed our run with the following in the fitness center in her apartment building:

Shoulder presses
Tricep dips
bent over rows
flys
upright rows


Then we alternated giving each other ab exercises. It's always fun to have someone else tell you what to do, even if it's a friend instead of a trainer. More than likely, they have a different routine than you do and vice versa so it's a nice little switch up for the day.

Case of the Mondays

After having wonderful company over last night for the Eagles game, it was a little hard to wake up this morning (hair is in a braid with a headband). I had to use dry shampoo because I woke up only 15 minutes before I have to leave my apartment.

My favorite dry shampoo is this
 Cake Satin Sugar hair powder. I use a brush to blot the hairline and my roots. It smells like cake so (hopefully) no one can tell that I didn't have time to wash my threads. Although, there are the telltale bags below my eyes. Funny how salt and fried foods do that to a 27 year old.

Time for the work thang. I'll be going for a run with J Dubs tonight since I didn't wake up this morning. Running with J Dubs is our girl time instead of pedicures or drinks. We've been running together for 9 years now!!! Since we were fresh(wo)men in college.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Football Season is back

I meant to take lots of photos of food, but you put 13 guys in a room and food doesn't last long.

I had a last minute panic attack and thought we wouldn't have enough food......behold
it's no wonder America is obese. 2 large pizzas are only 19.03. I can't even get a "make your own salad" for that.

Football season doesn't help either....it's an excuse for.....
150 wings

It's a good thing I went to the gym today.

I also walked around the city and made a couple purchases. Since Zara launched their website last week, I was pondering this sequin skirt and these black waxed jeans. As many of you know, you really have to try Zara clothes on before purchasing. So, I tried them on today and couldn't leave the store without them. WHY PAY SHIPPING :-) Well, it's a good thing since by the time I got home the skirt was SOLD OUT!!

I'm going to wear the skirt this coming weekend for Boyfriend's bday. Any ideas for the rest of the outfit?

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Saturday workout

Saturday workouts are usually my easy day, Sundays are touch and go, Monday through Friday are go hard.

Today:
CARDIO (60 minutes)
20 minutes sprint intervals on the treadmill
- 0 incline
- 3 minutes on 7
- 1 minute on 9
20 minutes sprint intervals on the bike
- 3 minutes on resistance 7
- 1 minute on resistance 13
20 minutes elliptical
- resistance 9
ABS
- side plank raises - lie on your right side to begin with your elbow under your shoulder propped up. Lift your hips off the group 10 times. Switch to left side 10 times. I do this 5x on each side and I'm done

- tomorrow we are having 15 people over for the Eagles game. I'm making the following:
1. Buffalo Chicken Dip - substitute light cream cheese, light blue cheese and light shredded cheese
2. Sausage Cheese Balls - Bisquick, cheese, parmesean, sausage (no way to make this healthy)
3. Puppy Chow - This takes literally 4 minutes (if you use the microwave) and is ALWAYS  a hit. I like white chocolate better so I substitute. AMAZEBALLS.
4. Beer - kidding, I'm not making the beer. Not to mention the game is at 8:30pm and we all have full time grown up jobs early on Monday

I'll take pictures of each of these tomorrow night.

Fun CPR

Anything with "fun" in it, count me in.

I'm due to update my CPR certification and Google found "Fun CPR" 1 block from my apartment. Done and Done.

What do you wear to a CPR Class?
I won't be taking photos in front of the a/c unit anymore.


Jeans: Victorias Secret - $49
Shirt: Banana Republic - thrifted from an old roommate  - free
Shoes: Converse - $50
Necklace: Gilt Group - $13
Purse: Shop Suey - Sold out - $68
Scarf: H & M - $7.99
Jacket: J Crew (OLD gift)

Something I hold dear to my waistline...

Boyfriend was in the mood for Mexican last night. We go back and forth about 200 times over who chooses (we both hate to choose). I won....so he chose.

The winner? (besides me and my belly) El Paradour Cafe on East 34th Street. Perfect, since we were going to the IMAX Contagion movie at Kips Bay Theater (thank you Fandango).



Our Good Eats
Shrimp Ceviche
Guacamole - best guac I've ever had in a restaurant
Salsa (their salsa has the most amazing flavor I've ever tasted)
For Her: Braised Short Ribs
For Him: Chicken Mole
The place is somewhat nice, I felt a little weird shooting pictures of my food so you'll just have to trust me IT'S AMAZING. Please go.


What does one wear?
Photo to come.....
Jeans: J Brand - Bloomingdales $180
Top: White pussybow blouse - Nordstrom Rack - $29.99
Shoes: Sam Edelman Whisky Peep Toe Pump - Amazon.com $130 (I had a gift card from my school books)
Pink Jacket: Express (7th grade) $129 - proof you should never throw ANYTHING away
Purse: Z-bags - $79.20 - get it HERE!
Belt: Aldo outlet (Woodbury Commons) old

The Movie Review: It was " good enough ".

Friday, September 16, 2011

a very good place to start....

.....let's start at the very beginning...

This blog is meant to get me through work, graduate school (hopefully in 2012) and life in general. I hope it helps others do the same. My focus will be to POSITIVELY influence your day through things that make me happy.

Shall we start with kittens? Kidding. Sort of. Doesn't everyone love kittens? I guess not.

I will, however, start with the blogs that I stalk read daily.

http://www.fitnessista.com/
http://www.somethingnavy.com/
http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/
http://maytedoll21.blogspot.com/
http://atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com/

if I can be half as inspirational as these ladies, I will be serving myself well.